New pet rat, but has she got mites? And more ratty questions

alanalea

I need a little advice with my pet rat and I know that you all have a few :j

I have a female rat who is 5 months old and very tame. About 5 weeks ago she started scenting on me, only on my hands and arms and only me. The coincides with when I started going swimming (so I thought it was her trying to mask the chlorine smell ) It's not every time that she comes out- she is out for hours every day and a free roamer in our front room.

I have been putting her back into her cage every time she scents, but this hasn't helped over 5 weeks.

Anyone any ideas?

kickstart_3

Not sure but are rats not like mice and have no bladders ? If so shes not scenting its urine !

Kelinik

Actually both mice and rats have bladders and both, like most animals will pick a corner of their cage to wee in - rats tend to be pretty easy to toilet train for poos too (sorry if tmi lol!).

Alanalea hun I have to say I'm not entirely sure why she's started doing this, if your ratty was a boy I'd be saying its pretty normal behaviour (boys do scent mark and yes they do so with small amounts of urine) but tbh I'm not sure its that common with girlies. If it is only you she does it on though I'd think its unlikely to be a bladder infection or anything like that, especially if she's otherwise clean outside of her cage. I think the best thing is to pop on www.fancy-rats.co.uk/community/index.php and ask them in the behaviour board.

Oh and if ratty lives alone might I suggest finding her a same sex friend as rats really do need other rat company.

Let us know how things go.

alanalea

She is otherwise toilet trained (she only goes in a litter bowl in her cage) and as she's only just started doing it. Once she's scented me, she won't do it again the same day


On the friend front, I'd love to get her another mate- I'm just a bit worried about introducing another female into her cage. When I first got given Bindi I was told that there was a 75% chance she was pregnant- that's why I didn't take 2 ratties to begin with. If i'd taken 2 and they were both pregnant :eek: The keepers were keeping both sexes in 1 tank
Bindi is out most of the day, every day, with me and is only ever in her cage to sleep at night and she is kept busy with toys and games- I think she's a happy spoilt ratty

Kelinik

alanalea wrote: »

Once she's scented me, she won't do it again the same day

Hmmmn sounds more and more like she is just scent marking you then, which in ratty language means she is 'claiming' you - in a way you should be flattered lol.

alanalea wrote: »

On the friend front, I'd love to get her another mate- I'm just a bit worried about introducing another female into her cage. When I first got given Bindi I was told that there was a 75% chance she was pregnant- that's why I didn't take 2 ratties to begin with. If i'd taken 2 and they were both pregnant :eek: The keepers were keeping both sexes in 1 tank
Bindi is out most of the day, every day, with me and is only ever in her cage to sleep at night and she is kept busy with toys and games- I think she's a happy spolit ratty

Oh I don't doubt she's spolit, I can tell you love her to bits but I do have to say that unless you groom her with your teeth, chase her round her cage and get in her bed with her she would still benefit from a little friend - intros aren't that scary honest! But anyway I've said my piece on that now. :cool:

What is your little ladys name btw? My girls are Tess and Meg and their (neutered!) boyfriend is Gus, though all three are well over 2 now and starting to show signs of old age, bless em.

kickstart_3

Just found this on a rat forum ..might explain why ? 'As you know, rats communicate using urine. They mark lots of things with it. It says a lot about them, their age, sex, social status and reproductive status. Rats also wee on things as they like things to smell of them. They know this object, they have been there before. This may make them feel more comfortable. Like when you clean their cage out, they immediately wee everywhere again.

Rats also mark in response to novelty- this could be a new toy.

They also mark more when they smell something new, this could be a rat or another animal etc.

alanalea

Her name is Bindi, because she has the sweetest little bindi spot Sorry the pictures are poop, trying to catch a still rat is near impossible ( I had to bribe her with cornflakes lol)







It's nice to feel wanted by something- even if she does show it by weeing on me lol

Kelinik

Oh shes a beauty, thank you for sharing the pics!!

asea

one of my two pet rats did this but only when her sister was at the vets for 4 days... as soon as her sister was back she stopped!

ShirleyPark_2

awwww she's really cute, though I do agree with Kelinik that she would benefit from company. There's an article here on why rats need company
http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/guides.php?subject=company